The present invention discloses a container sorting system capable of increased sorting efficiency. The present invention discloses a device in which the distance is shortened between detection and ejection of containers being sorted by reflective infrared radiation, transmission infrared radiation, or both. The present invention also includes a method of operating such device.
|
1. A method of sensing and sorting materials according to composition, comprising:
providing a sample;
placing the sample on a conveyor having a discharge end;
placing the sample in an infrared radiation sensing region, wherein the infrared radiation sensing region is located immediately off the discharge end of the conveyor;
irradiating the sample to be sorted with infrared radiation in the sensing region;
detecting infrared radiation signals reflected off the sample while the sample is located immediately off the discharge end of the conveyor;
analyzing the infrared radiation signals to determine composition of the sample;
energizing at least one air ejector of an air ejection array, wherein the air ejection array is located immediately downstream from the infrared radiation sensing region.
9. A sorting device for sorting materials according to composition, comprising:
an infrared radiation source;
a conveyor, wherein the conveyor has a discharge end;
an infrared radiation sensing system positioned to receive and detect infrared radiation reflected off a sample while the sample is located immediately off the discharge end of the conveyor and is irradiated with infrared radiation from the infrared radiation source;
a processing system operationally connected to the infrared radiation sensing system so that the detected infrared radiation signals are analyzed to determine composition of the sample;
an ejection system operationally connected to the processing system so that a sample having a certain composition may be ejected out of the flow path, wherein the ejection system is positioned immediately downstream from the infrared radiation sensing system;
a receiving station positioned to receive ejected sample.
5. A sorting device for sorting materials according to composition, comprising:
an infrared radiation source;
a conveyor, wherein the conveyor has a discharge end;
an infrared radiation sensing system positioned to receive and detect infrared radiation reflected off a sample while the sample is located immediately off the discharge end of the conveyor and is irradiated with infrared radiation from the infrared radiation source;
a first processing system operationally connected to the infrared radiation sensing system so that the detected infrared radiation signals are analyzed to determine composition of the sample;
an ejection system positioned immediately downstream from the infrared radiation sensing system;
a second processing system operationally connected to the ejection system so that sample having certain composition may be ejected out of the flow path by the ejection system;
a receiving station positioned to receive ejected sample.
2. The method of
3. The method of
4. The method of
6. The device of
7. The device of
8. The device of
10. The device of
|
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/399,865, filed Jul. 19, 2010, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Improving Performance in Container Sorting” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Be it known that we, Edward J. Sommer, Jr., a United States citizen, residing at 5329 General Forrest Court, Nashville, Tenn. 37215, R. Lynn Conley, a United States citizen, residing at 8045 Maggie Court, Antioch, Tenn. 37013, and Robert H. Parrish, a United States citizen, residing at 8029 Settlers Way, Nashville, Tenn. 37221, have invented a new and useful “Method and Apparatus for Improving Performance in Container Sorting.”
Not applicable
Not applicable
As the general public continues to increase its willingness to recycle, there are a variety of reasons that would lead to the desire for a container sorting system having improved efficiency. Currently available sorting system are plagued with many shortcomings. Traditional sorting systems use sensing devices which are bulky and have traditionally been configured to sort materials with a conveyor belt as a backdrop. Sensing systems in this configuration receive signals from the conveyor belt as well as from the items to be sorted which can complicate the identification of items. The traditional configuration of sorting systems also has resulted in a significant distance being present between the sensing region and the sorting region of a system. Given that many of the items being sorted are light weight cylindrically shaped bottles, one can imagine the movement of such individual items on the surface of a rapidly moving conveyor belt. Unfortunately, such lateral movement and variations in acceleration result in a complicated and hard to predict path of travel for such an item as it passes from a sensing region over a significant distance to a sorting region. If the item does not reach the sorting region at the time and location at which it is expected, then the sorting system has failed. The result is that sorting is not being performed in an efficient manner.
Disclosed herein is a container sorting system capable of improved sorting efficiency. As further described herein, the present invention eliminates interference signals from a conveyor belt and also allows for the distance between the sensing region and ejection region of the system to be only a minimal distance. Also disclosed herein is a method of sorting containers by use of the disclosed device.
The sorting device for sorting materials according to composition includes an infrared radiation source, a conveyor, wherein the conveyor has a discharge end, an infrared radiation sensing system positioned to receive and detect infrared radiation reflected off a sample while the sample is located immediately off the discharge end of the conveyor and is irradiated with infrared radiation from the infrared radiation source, a first processing system operationally connected to the infrared radiation sensing system so that the detected infrared radiation signals are analyzed to determine composition of the sample, an ejection system positioned immediately downstream from the infrared radiation sensing system, a second processing system operationally connected to the ejection system so that sample having certain composition may be ejected out of the flow path by the ejection system, and a receiving station positioned to receive ejected sample. In certain embodiments, the infrared radiation sensing system is located a minimal distance downstream from the discharge end of the conveyor. In other embodiments, the ejection system is located a minimal distance downstream from the infrared radiation sensing system. In yet other embodiments, the first processing system and the second processing system are combined into a single processing system. Also disclosed herein is a sorting device for sorting materials according to composition which includes an infrared radiation source, a conveyor, wherein the conveyor has a discharge end, an infrared radiation sensing system positioned to receive and detect infrared radiation reflected off a sample while the sample is located immediately off the discharge end of the conveyor and is irradiated with infrared radiation from the infrared radiation source, a processing system operationally connected to the infrared radiation sensing system so that the detected infrared radiation signals are analyzed to determine composition of the sample, an ejection system operationally connected to the processing system so that a sample having a certain composition may be ejected out of the flow path, wherein the ejection system is positioned immediately downstream from the infrared radiation sensing system, and a receiving station positioned to receive ejected sample. In certain embodiments, the device further includes a transmission infrared radiation source positioned so that the infrared radiation sensing system receives and detects infrared radiation transmitted through the sample while the sample is located immediately off the discharge end of the conveyor and is irradiated with infrared radiation from the transmission infrared radiation source.
Also disclosed herein is a method of sensing and sorting materials according to composition which includes providing a sample, placing the sample on a conveyor having a discharge end, placing the sample in an infrared radiation sensing region, wherein the infrared radiation sensing region is located immediately off the discharge end of the conveyor, irradiating the sample to be sorted with infrared radiation in the sensing region, detecting infrared radiation signals reflected off the sample while the sample is in the sensing region, analyzing the infrared radiation signals to determine composition of the sample, and energizing at least one air ejector of an air ejection array, wherein the air ejection array is located immediately downstream from the infrared radiation sensing region. In certain embodiments, the infrared radiation sensing region is located at a minimal distance from the discharge end of the conveyor. In other embodiments, the air ejection array is located at a minimal distance downstream from the infrared radiation sensing region. In still other embodiments, the method further includes detecting infrared radiation signals transmitted through the sample while the sample is in the sensing region.
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a sorting system having only a minimal distance between the sensing region and the ejection region.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a sorting system having an improved sorting efficiency. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sorting system that minimizes interference signals from a conveyor belt surface.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of sorting containers that does not require regular cleaning of a conveyor belt surface.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of sorting containers that does not pose a fire hazard to the facility in which the sorting system is located.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a sorting system having the capability to sort with reflected infrared radiation, transmission infrared radiation, or both.
The present invention is an infrared radiation sorting system that overcomes the flaws of currently available reflective infrared sorting systems. The infrared radiation sorting system, referred to as the system 10, includes an infrared radiation source 12, conveyor 14, infrared radiation sensing system 16, first processing system 18, second processing system 20, an ejection system 22, and a receiving station 24. Also disclosed herein is a method of using the system 10 to more efficiently sort materials according to composition.
Currently available material sorting systems that operate in the near infrared range (1.0-2.5 microns) and sense infrared radiation reflected off a material item (such as a plastic bottle) operate in a configuration where the sensing system is positioned over a conveyor 14 belt, as best seen in
Another disadvantage of current systems is that if the conveyed item has a lateral velocity component then it can move into an adjacent region on the conveyor 14 belt upon arrival at the ejection location and be missed by the firing of the air ejectors in the ejection channel directly downstream along the item expected path of travel determined at the time of detection in the sensing region. Stated another way, as best seen in
Still another disadvantage of traditional sorting systems in recycling plants is that there is typically a build up of foreign materials (dirt, grime, liquids, bottle labels, etc.) that occurs on a conveyor 14 belt during operation. This build up of foreign materials can interfere with the reflected infrared radiation signals 38 being received by the infrared radiation sensing system 16 and degrade sorting performance. Therefore, it is common for the belt surface to require periodic cleaning as a maintenance item—often once per shift. This cleaning requires manpower and time and is a maintenance cost. Also, in some sorting scenarios it is advantageous to determine color of item along with its infrared radiation signature. Many items to be sorted are transparent such as those made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polystyrene (PS). The transparent item may have a color to it such as a green, blue, or amber PET bottle (for example). This color of a transparent item can be difficult for a sensing system 16 to distinguish if the item is on a conveyor 14 belt surface since the belt surface can be seen through the transparent item. For example, it can very hard to “see” the color of a PET bottle on a black conveyor 14 belt surface when lighted from above, especially “clear” bottles or lightly colored bottles such as light blue bottles. Additionally the build up of foreign materials on the belt can interfere with the color analyses degrading color sorting performance. Finally, the infrared radiation source 12 used in these systems is typically one or two banks of highly intense tungsten halogen lamps, positioned on the upstream and/or downstream sides of the infrared radiation sensing system 16, as shown in
Referring now to
As further described below, the ejection system 22 is momentarily activated to eject an item selected for ejection after a delay time that depends upon the conveyor belt speed and the distance D between the sensing region and the ejection location. A typical application is the sorting of containers in a mixed recyclable container stream. The first processing system 18 is a microprocessor. Such a microprocessor may be a single microprocessor or a system of multiple microprocessors linked together to share computational tasks to enable high speed data processing. A suitable multiple microprocessor system is the Barcelona-HS available from Spectrum Signal Processing, Burnaby, Canada. The first processing system 18 is also operationally connected to a second processing system 20. Briefly, the ejection system 22 is controlled by the second processing system 20 which is responsive to information received from the first processing system 18. The second processing system 20 signals the ejection system 22 through connections 32 to selectively energize appropriate air ejectors within the ejection system 22 to deflect by short air blasts selected materials from the sample 28 flow. That is, the first processing system 18 provides and receives control signals to/from the infrared radiation sensing system 16 over an electrical/data connection 30. Data from the infrared sensing system 16 flows to first processing system 18 over connections 30 through an analog-to-digital conversion card so that digital data is presented to first processing system 18. A materials classification and sorting algorithm, or software, executes within the first processing system 18 to process the digital data and utilizes computer memory for storing data and accessing data during execution. According to results derived through executing the algorithm the second processing system 20 signals the ejection system 22, for example a bank of solid state relays such as those supplied by Opto22, Temecula, Calif., through DIO module to energize selected air ejectors within air ejector array of the ejection system 22. In practice it may be that the tasks performed by the first processing system 18 and the second processing system 20 may be performed by a single processor or a system of multiple processors. As best seen in
Still referring to
Referring now to
Still referring to
Disclosed herein is an embodiment of a method of sorting materials in order to overcome the above discussed disadvantages of the configuration shown in
This method has several advantages over currently available sorting methods. First, as described above, the shorter travel distance D compared to the traditional method of using the device shown in
Second, the short travel distance D provided in the currently disclosed method of using the device disclosed herein as compared to the traditional method of using the device shown in
Third, build up of foreign materials on the conveyor 14 do not interfere with the infrared radiation signals 38 being received by the infrared radiation sensing system 16 since the conveyor 14 surface is no longer presented to the infrared radiation sensing system 16. Fourth, interference of the conveyor 14 surface with color determination of transparent items (e.g., PET bottles) is eliminated since the sample 28 being sensed is no longer on the conveyor 14 surface and instead is located off the discharge end 26 of the conveyor 14. Fifth, the potential for fire resulting from the intense radiation from the infrared radiation source 12 is minimized since the infrared radiation 36 emanating from the source 12 is directed into the “free air” sensing region, which is off the discharge end 26 of the conveyor 14. In the event the conveyor 14 stops, sample 28 will not stop suspended in air in the sensing region but will pass on through due to its intrinsic trajectory. Therefore, there will be no conveyor 14 surface or stationary sample 28 in the irradiated sensing region while the conveyor 14 is stopped or at any other time. Finally, another advantage to the method disclosed herein is the ability to add a transmission infrared radiation source 48 below the sample 28 feed stream as it discharges off the discharge end 26 of the conveyor 14. In the examples shown in
This patent application expressly incorporates by reference all patents, references, and publications disclosed herein.
Although the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it is anticipated that alterations and modifications thereof will no doubt become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore intended that the following claims be interpreted as covering all alterations and modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Sommer, Jr., Edward J., Parrish, Robert H., Conley, R. Lynn
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
10082467, | Mar 15 2013 | Altria Client Services LLC | Menthol detection on tobacco |
10209201, | May 26 2011 | Altria Client Services LLC | Oil detection process and apparatus |
10330607, | May 26 2011 | Altria Client Services LLC | Oil detection process and apparatus |
10488386, | Nov 11 2014 | ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES INC | Method for detecting oil on tobacco products and packaging |
10724955, | Mar 15 2013 | Altria Client Services LLC | Menthol detection on tobacco |
10782279, | Nov 11 2014 | ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES INC | Method for detecting oil on tobacco products and packaging |
10866194, | May 26 2011 | ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES INC | Oil soluble taggants |
10900897, | May 29 2012 | Altria Client Services LLC | Oil detection process |
11340168, | Mar 15 2013 | Altria Client Services LLC | Menthol detection on tobacco |
11549932, | Nov 11 2014 | Altria Client Services LLC | Method for detecting oil on tobacco products and packaging |
11555790, | May 26 2011 | Altria Client Services LLC | Oil soluble taggants |
9114433, | Jan 17 2012 | Mineral Separation Technologies, Inc.; MINERAL SEPARATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC | Multi-fractional coal sorter and method of use thereof |
9381545, | Mar 15 2013 | Altria Client Services LLC | On-line oil and foreign matter detection system and method |
9488580, | Mar 15 2013 | Altria Client Services LLC | Menthol detection on tobacco |
9546966, | May 26 2011 | Altria Client Services LLC | Oil detection process, apparatus and taggant therefor |
9656302, | Mar 14 2013 | Finatec Holding AG | Device and method for transporting and examining fast-moving objects to be treated |
9733197, | May 26 2011 | Altria Client Services LLC | Oil detection process and apparatus |
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
4090074, | Oct 29 1975 | Australian Atomic Energy Commission | Analysis of coal |
4377392, | Mar 06 1980 | L G MASSEY | Coal composition |
4486894, | Aug 07 1979 | COAL INDUSTRY PATENTS LTD | Method of and apparatus for sensing the ash content of coal |
4626688, | Nov 26 1982 | Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama | Split energy level radiation detection |
4848590, | Apr 24 1986 | LAMB, HELEN M ; KELLY, MOIRA F | Apparatus for the multisorting of scrap metals by x-ray analysis |
5176260, | Sep 28 1988 | EXPORTECH COMPANY, INC | Method of magnetic separation and apparatus therefore |
5676256, | Dec 30 1993 | Huron Valley Steel Corporation | Scrap sorting system |
5738224, | Oct 29 1990 | National Recovery Technologies, Inc. | Method and apparatus for the separation of materials using penetrating electromagnetic radiation |
5818899, | Apr 02 1997 | McDermott Technology, Inc | X-ray fluorescence analysis of pulverized coal |
5841832, | Feb 13 1991 | Lunar Corporation | Dual-energy x-ray detector providing spatial and temporal interpolation |
5841833, | Feb 13 1991 | Lunar Corporation | Dual-energy x-ray detector providing spatial and temporal interpolation |
5931308, | Jul 30 1997 | Huron Valley Steel Corporation | Eddy current separator and separation method having improved efficiency |
6060677, | Aug 19 1994 | TiTech Visionsort AS | Determination of characteristics of material |
6122343, | Apr 07 1995 | Technological Resources Pty Limited | Method and an apparatus for analyzing a material |
6128365, | Feb 11 1998 | Analogic Corporation | Apparatus and method for combining related objects in computed tomography data |
6266390, | Sep 21 1998 | Spectramet, LLC | High speed materials sorting using x-ray fluorescence |
6272230, | Feb 11 1998 | Analogic Corporation | Apparatus and method for optimizing detection of objects in computed tomography data |
6338305, | Apr 10 2000 | On-line remediation of high sulfur coal and control of coal-fired power plant feedstock | |
6353197, | Aug 19 1994 | TiTech Visionsort AS | Determination of characteristics of material |
6399951, | Feb 02 2000 | UT-Battelle, LLC | Simultaneous CT and SPECT tomography using CZT detectors |
6519315, | Sep 21 1998 | Spectramet, LLC | High speed materials sorting using x-ray fluorescence |
6545240, | Feb 16 1996 | Huron Valley Steel Corporation | Metal scrap sorting system |
6587575, | Feb 09 2001 | PROVISION TECHNOLOGIES DIVISION INSTITUTE FOR TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT` | Method and system for contaminant detection during food processing |
6610981, | Apr 27 2000 | National Recovery Technologies, LLC | Method and apparatus for near-infrared sorting of recycled plastic waste |
6661867, | Oct 19 2001 | Technology Asset Trust | Tomographic scanning X-ray inspection system using transmitted and compton scattered radiation |
6855901, | Apr 20 2001 | National Recovery Technologies, LLC | Process and apparatus for spectroscopic identification and sorting of barrier materials |
6888917, | Sep 21 1998 | Spectramet, LLC | High speed materials sorting using x-ray fluorescence |
7012256, | Dec 21 2001 | National Recovery Technologies, LLC | Computer assisted bag screening system |
7099433, | Mar 01 2004 | Spectramet, LLC | Method and apparatus for sorting materials according to relative composition |
7200200, | Sep 04 2001 | INDUTECH PROCESS CONTROL, INC | X-ray fluorescence measuring system and methods for trace elements |
7244941, | Dec 21 2001 | National Recovery Technologies, LLC | Computer assisted bag screening system |
7262380, | Aug 19 1994 | TiTech Visionsort AS | Determination of characteristics of material |
7286634, | Dec 23 2002 | National Recovery Technologies, LLC | Method and apparatus for improving baggage screening examination |
7356115, | Dec 04 2002 | VAREX IMAGING CORPORATION | Radiation scanning units including a movable platform |
7542873, | May 28 2003 | BM Alliance Coal Operations Pty Ltd; Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation | Method and apparatus for determining particle parameter and processor performance in a coal and mineral processing system |
7558370, | Nov 07 2005 | National Recovery Technologies, LLC | Method and apparatus for improving identification and control of articles passing through a scanning system |
7564943, | Mar 01 2004 | Spectramet, LLC | Method and apparatus for sorting materials according to relative composition |
7664225, | Sep 29 2005 | ELISABETH KATZ | Process and device for the fast or on-line determination of the components of a two-component or multi-component system |
7848484, | Mar 01 2004 | Spectramet, LLC | Method and apparatus for sorting materials according to relative composition |
20040066890, | |||
20100185319, | |||
20110116596, | |||
RE36537, | Oct 29 1990 | National Recovery Technologies, Inc. | Method and apparatus for sorting materials using electromagnetic sensing |
RE37536, | Nov 26 1982 | UAB Research Foundation | Split energy level radiation detection |
Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Jul 14 2011 | National Recovery Technologies, LLC | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
Aug 17 2011 | CONLEY, R LYNN | NATIONAL RECOVERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 026779 | /0183 | |
Aug 17 2011 | PARRISH, ROBERT H | NATIONAL RECOVERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 026779 | /0183 | |
Aug 17 2011 | SOMMER, EDWARD J , JR | NATIONAL RECOVERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 026779 | /0183 | |
Jun 28 2012 | NATIONAL RECOVERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC | National Recovery Technologies, LLC | CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION TO LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY | 031239 | /0703 | |
Mar 26 2018 | National Recovery Technologies, LLC | TRUE WEST CAPITAL PARTNERS FUND II, LP | SECURITY INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 045353 | /0387 | |
May 01 2019 | Zero Waste Energy, LLC | PNC Bank, National Association | SECURITY INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 049513 | /0198 | |
May 01 2019 | NIHOT RECYCLING TECHNOLOGY B V | PNC Bank, National Association | SECURITY INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 049513 | /0198 | |
May 01 2019 | National Recovery Technologies, LLC | PNC Bank, National Association | SECURITY INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 049513 | /0198 | |
May 01 2019 | Emerging Acquisitions, LLC | PNC Bank, National Association | SECURITY INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 049513 | /0198 | |
Sep 20 2024 | National Recovery Technologies, LLC | TRUE WEST CAPITAL PARTNERS FUND II, LP | SECURITY INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 068666 | /0550 | |
Sep 20 2024 | Emerging Acquisitions, LLC | PNC Bank, National Association | SECURITY INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 068690 | /0685 | |
Sep 20 2024 | National Recovery Technologies, LLC | PNC Bank, National Association | SECURITY INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 068690 | /0685 | |
Sep 20 2024 | NIHOT RECYCLING TECHNOLOGY B V | PNC Bank, National Association | SECURITY INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 068690 | /0685 |
Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
Nov 20 2017 | REM: Maintenance Fee Reminder Mailed. |
Mar 01 2018 | M2551: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 4th Yr, Small Entity. |
Mar 01 2018 | M2554: Surcharge for late Payment, Small Entity. |
Sep 22 2021 | M2552: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 8th Yr, Small Entity. |
Date | Maintenance Schedule |
Apr 08 2017 | 4 years fee payment window open |
Oct 08 2017 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Apr 08 2018 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
Apr 08 2020 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
Apr 08 2021 | 8 years fee payment window open |
Oct 08 2021 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Apr 08 2022 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
Apr 08 2024 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
Apr 08 2025 | 12 years fee payment window open |
Oct 08 2025 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Apr 08 2026 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
Apr 08 2028 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |